VIENTIANE (14 July 2011) – Singapore, after two convincing victories earlier, were stunned by Myanmar 2-1 in a Group B match of the AFF Under-16 Championship at the National Sports Complex here today. The Lions had hammered Vietnam and the Philippines by five-goals each and were tagged among the favourites, but that view changed today when Myanmar prevailed.
Myanmar netted both goals in the first half through Wai Hin Tun and Aung Myat Soe while Singapore replied in the dying minutes of the game. The win sent Myanmar to the top of the group for the first time with a total of seven points while Singapore dropped into second spot with six points.
Myanmar have one remaining fixture against Vietnam who are still very much in the running for a place in the semifinals. In fact, the fight for the two spots in Group B is still wide open with Myanmar and Singapore holding a slight edge over Cambodia and Vietnam. Singapore will face Cambodia in the other last preliminary group tie. All the teams will have to win their matches to be assured of advancing.
After their earlier matches, Singapore were expected to take the game by the jugular and give Myanmar a roasting. But how quickly things change, instead of Singapore leading the way, it was Myanmar who took charge and surprise the Lions.
Myanmar stunned everyone, not just by taking control of the game but to go on to score the opening goal in the 17th minute through Wai Hin Tun, who took advantage of a fumble by the goalkeeper.
Singapore were clearly rattled but fought back. But just when they seemed a little more organised, Myanmar’s Aung Myat Soe smashed in a sensational freekick which curled over the wall and into goal.
It could have been worse for Singapore in the very next minute but Khant Ko Ko Soe, who broke through the defence, sent his shot just wide.
Myanmar had a number of chances to score but blew them all. They had several clear shots especially in the 81st minute when Ko Ko Soe was right in front of goal but instead of smashing it in, he hesitated and this allowed the goalkeeper to narrow the angle and save the shot.
Deep in injury time, Muhammad Muhelmy Suhaimi blasted in a rebound from a freekick but it was too late for any comeback. Barely a minute after the goal, referee Mongkolchai Pechsri from Thailand blew for time.
<b>SINGAPORE:</b> Heirul Suhanes Mohamed Shanel (GK), Ehvin Sasidharan, Mahathir Azeman, Mohammad Sadik Mohd Said, R. Aaravin, Muhammad Amirul Adli Azmi, Muhammad Muhelmy Suhaimi, Mohammad Irfan Iezran Mohammad Azrin, Adam Swandi (Cpt), Muhamad Azhar Ramli, Muhammad Noor Faridzuan Mohd Fuad
<b>Coach: </b> Dejan Gluscevic
<b>Goalscorers:</b> Muhammad Muhelmy Suhaimi (90th)
<b>Yellow:</b>nil
<b>Red:</b> nil
<b>MYANMAR:</b>Thant Zin Nyo (GK), Min Thu, Zin Ko Tun, Phoe La Pyae, Kyaw Min Oo, Myo Thura Oo (Cpt), Hlaing Bo Bo, Wai Hin Tun, Aung Myat Soe, Aung Thu, Win Latt Aung, Khant Ko Ko
<b>Coach: </b>Marko Koscina
<b>Goalscorers:</b> Wai Hin Tun (17th), Aung Myat Soe (23rd)
<b>Yellow:</b>nil
<b>Red:</b> nil
<b>MATCH OFFICIALS</b>
<b> Referee:</b>Mongkolchai (Tha)
<b>Assistant Referee 1: </b>Edo Wiradana (Ina)
<b>Assistant Referee 2: </b>Manop Pansakorn (Tha)
<b>Fourth Official: </b> Hoang Anh Tuan (Vie)
<b>Match Commissioner: </b>Yeh Htut Tin (Mya)
<b>Referee Assessor: </b>Augustine Arlando (Sin)
<b>General Coordinator: </b> U Tin Aung (Mya)
<b>Group A</b>
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| THAILAND | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 7 |
| LAOS | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| MALAYSIA | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| INDONESIA | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | -6 | 2 |
| TIMOR LESTE | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 1 |
<b>Group B</b>
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| MYANMAR | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| SINGAPORE | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 6 |
| CAMBODIA | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 4 |
| VIETNAM | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 3 |
| PHILIPPINES | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 0 |
